Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-05-05
Thursday, May S, 1887.
NATIONAL MILITIA.

unfortunately there Is no such thing
as q national militia, nor can there be
until the laws, and probably the con-
stitution, are altered. At present the
entire control of the militia of each
state is in the hands of the state. Ii
alone can organize, officer, uniform,
arm and drill lite own citizens. The
government only gets control when
the militia are called into active ser.
vice from some national purpose. This
system has worked very badly ia
every war which we have been en-
gagged, and will probably place Us at
terrible disadvantage In the next war
as ii did in the war; OF 1872 and the
rebellion. The training and dicipline
Of n proper proportion OF The young
men Of the country in arms.bearing lie
the duty Of The nation, not the states,
and so long rs IL Is left 10 the states 1t
will be grossly neglected. In spite of
the terrible experience OF war, we tiud
that several states make no pretense Of
keeping up their militia, and in noue
of them IL there one drilled aud uni
formed man where there should be
ten. We shall pay terribly for this IN
the future, ~ We have repeatedly done
in the past. Anyone who has thought
at oil upon the military situation of
our country has felt very deeply the
urgency Of SONS system whereby the
nation could organize and train II
great militia force to at "a a Reserve
aud an auxiliary to the regular army,
aud be n reliance In any emergency.
No national work would make n
richer return for the money ana labor
expended than lhi-. The restrictions
of the constitution prevent this being
done directly. General Benet, the ac-
complished chief of ordnance, has de-
voted much study to this subject and
repeatedly OF late year. called public
attention to 1t in ably written letters
and reports. Everybody recognizes
the truth Of what he says, but the
only good fruit 40 far of HE labors was
the passage of N law at the last session
of Congress appropriating 500, 900 To
provide arms and equipments for the
militia. This money il to be sppor-
toned among the states and territories
according To the number of senators
and representatives, with the prOvi-
sion that no state shall receive its
share OF the money unless the num-
Der of its regularly enlisted organized
and uniformed active militia shall be
at least 100 men for each senator and
representative Ia which such state is
entitled In the Congress.
1t IL not imperative on Camps of
Sons Of Veterns to join the state mill
tia because they organize a. military
companies. We should recommend
that circumstances be allowed TO gov
ern this. In states where connection
with the regular militia is desirable,
and where by doing so an allowance
al be secured for armory rent, u1i-
forms, ammunition for target practice,
and pay for time spent in camp, il
would be best to join the state militia.
Elsewhere it would be preferable to or
gsnize rs independent military com
panies, with regimental, brigade, d.
vision and corps organizations within
the order. We believe If the sons Of
Veterans will go into the military or
ganization with zeal and thoroughness
that they can solve the problem of a
National militia. We are sangulne
that If they can present themselves to
the country as u well organized, well
drilled body, ready to act a. auxiliary
TO the regular army, that Congress
will accept them as a part OF the mill
tary Establishment Of the Nation, arm
and uniform them, and make other
allowances. They ought to take the
prominent place in this country occu-
pied by the volunteers In England,
and they will II the matter Is properly
managed .-National Tribune.
THE METEOROLOGICAL editor Of the